I've been thinking of building a matched set of strikers for my pot calls. When I'm done, I'll do up a set for everyone in the tribe as a gift.
I know hickory and purple heart are going to be at the top of the list. My question to you all is this: If you were to pick a set of strikers for all your pots and you could pick the number and composition of that set, what would it be?
Second question: Is there any magic in the striker's top? Is there anything y'all prefer in the top of the striker?
My personal favorites are Black Locust and Dymondwood.
For me it's snakewood and dymondwood. Sankewood is not cheap but it's well worth it.
Dymondwood and Purpleheart
Right now it would be Purpleheart and Cherry. Cherry might seem a bit of an oddball pick to some but if you ever ran one on a Yingling copper you'd understand. Right Rickey?
Cherry is a good all around striker.
Snakewood and dymondwood or black locust
iam going to throw out blood wood and red heart with the above
I carry only Diamondwood strikers with me while hunting. Purple heart and hickory would be a good second choice.
Persimmon and black wood
Some of these are wholly new to me. Where do y'all get the original dowel stock?
Quote from: shaman on January 27, 2015, 08:30:06 AM
Some of these are wholly new to me. Where do y'all get the original dowel stock?
Mine are all one piece.
snakewood, macassar ebony,rosewoods,dymondwood, apitong etc etc strikers can become an obsession just like buying calls be careful
Quote from: West Augusta on January 27, 2015, 08:39:07 AM
Quote from: shaman on January 27, 2015, 08:30:06 AM
Some of these are wholly new to me. Where do y'all get the original dowel stock?
Mine are all one piece.
Is there a functional difference or just style? I'm asking, because I don't know. Is there a benefit to one piece versus two?
And while we're on the subject, I have another question for y'all: I see a lot of custom turned strikers out there with flaired or bulbous tips. Most of the tips I've seen in the past were either straight or rounded off. When I did my first batch I took off the sharp edge by running them in a pencil sharpener before final sanding. What's the difference?
It's all personal preference really. I tend to prefer a flared tip, one-piece striker but I also have a few rounded tip (non-flared tip), two-piece strikers that are awesome as well. It's just a matter of trying several until you find what suits you.
I've bought several custom strikers..... it is hard to beat the one that comes with the crystal mistress 2 piece diamondwood I think
.......
I think you need at a minimum of 3 strikers....black locust and dymondwood would be hard to keep off the list. After that I'd say add a carbon fiber striker like Mike Yingling makes...it sounds great on all surfaces I have and it works in wet weather.
I don't think there's any magic to the striker tip, they seem to all run good on my calls. The flare tip may give you a little extra calling between conditioning sessions since it is bigger.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Quote from: shaman on January 27, 2015, 01:17:30 PM
Quote from: West Augusta on January 27, 2015, 08:39:07 AM
Quote from: shaman on January 27, 2015, 08:30:06 AM
Some of these are wholly new to me. Where do y'all get the original dowel stock?
Mine are all one piece.
Is there a functional difference or just style? I'm asking, because I don't know. Is there a benefit to one piece versus two?
And while we're on the subject, I have another question for y'all: I see a lot of custom turned strikers out there with flaired or bulbous tips. Most of the tips I've seen in the past were either straight or rounded off. When I did my first batch I took off the sharp edge by running them in a pencil sharpener before final sanding. What's the difference?
Flared tipped strikers are supposed to be easier to run. I prefer a straight tip. The difference between a one piece versus two? I can't tell you. The question was about dowel rods. I don't buy dowel rods and glue them in a handle. I turn the whole thing. I have heard that if the dowel rod isn't completely seated in the head of a two piece striker it can deaden the sound.
Lyman Snakewood,and West Augusta Dymondwood.But I certainly wouldn't leave home without my RP Persimmon, Oak,and Dogwood strikers as well,especially if I'm on a slate pot first thing.
A good friend on the forum made me several truly handmade strikers of different woods.They are all top notch,and going to be killers for sure.I have some friends here that really know their woods,and that has helped me understand the tonal qualities of woods that I had not used in the past.
I have always been amazed what alot of you fellas are capable of building.I see the calls and strikers everyday,amd my hat is off to you.... :icon_thumright:
I was browsing the list at customsawing.com and came across the following 5/16" dowels:
Persimmon
Osage Orange
BloodWood
Cherry
as well as a fully finished diamondwood striker.
The latter cost more than the other 4 combined, but I figured it was worth a try. The package arrived Friday night, and I was sanding, varnishing, and gluing until this morning. They're nothing to look at, but I figured I'd make prototypes and see how they do. I'm still on the lookout for the others.
Here is the result:
(http://genesis9.angzva.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/img_9119-1024x642.jpg)
Shaman,I would beg to differ with your opinion on the look of your work.I would say your strikers are coming along very nicely.Good job...
Nice work!
Shucks! T'wern't nothin'.
But I will tell y'all about something: I had my calls out on the table by my chair. I have a granddaughter, Mooselette, who turns 3 today, and she came over with Moose and MooseMama for a birthday/SuperBowl party. She spied the calls, and forgot all about her presents. She actually did passably well on one of my home brew slates with the new osage orange striker. We spent the whole night practicing calls together, pausing only briefly for a family Play-Doh party at the kitchen table.
I think I'm going to have me a turkey hunter!
(http://genesis9.angzva.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/img_9119-1024x642.jpg)ha
I hate to sound like a dunce, but I'll be a bigger one if I don't ask the question. I know the one on the far right is Diamondwood. However, I have to ask you all to help me identify the other 4.
Here are the choices again:
Osage Orange
Cherry
Persimmon
Bloodwood
When the strikers came, the dowels were banded together with no ID.
I'll go first so I show off my ignorance. My vote (L to R)
1) Osage Orange
2) Bloodwood
3) Cherry
4) Persimmon
from left I would say
osage ,,,, looks like purple heart ha ha ,,,blood wood ,,cherry ,,,
them 2 piece striker don't be afraid to put little weight in the heads before putting rods in some times ill run dry wall screws in thur hole for little weight
Thanks. So as far as you're concerned, I guessed right?
Cool.
I have a 3 piece from Mr Harold Fowler, top is bubinga, carbon shaft and Australian boloki tip. You would be hard pressed to get me to part with it and if you did it wouldn't be for less than a C note. Ran it on one of my ceramics at a show and every head turned. I sold out of ceramics and I think he sold several more of those strikers too. :) not to mention he is just a great man with amazing talents. I truly admire his work.
I a lot of different custom strikers. Ebony,Goncola Alves, Persimmon, and Tulipwood to name some of my favorites. But my most favorite is a special one of a kind laminated striker. It is made from Ebony,walnut,Paduck and Goncola Alves. It sounds awesome on about any calling surface.